1. Hey, that doesn’t belong
Identifying unnecessary information in a paragraph
SPI

2. When writing on a topic, a writer will include many details and information.
A good writer will focus his/her ideas on one topic at a time.
Read the following short paragraph and see if you can find the unnecessary information.

3. Dogs need to be cared for everyday
Dogs need to be cared for everyday. Here are a few tips for taking care of a dog. First, you should always leave out plenty of food and water. Next, make sure he gets plenty of exercise each day. Don’t forget to brush or groom your dog regularly. You can also get together with your friends and hold a contest to pick a good name for your dog. Finally, provide a sleeping area or doghouse for your dog.

4. Now lets find the sentence that doesn’t belong!
First, identify the topic of the paragraph.
The topic is about caring for a dog.
Next, you should scan the paragraph again.

5. Is there any information that doesn’t belong?
Dogs need to be cared for everyday. Here are a few tips for taking care of a dog. First, you should always leave out plenty of food and water. Next, make sure he gets plenty of exercise each day.
A good writer stops and asks himself questions. So far, all the information seems to be about taking care of a dog. I think I will keep reading.

6. Is there any information that doesn’t belong?
Don’t forget to brush or groom your dog regularly. You can also get together with your friends and hold a contest to pick a good name for your dog. Finally, provide a sleeping area or doghouse for your dog.
I might see something in this section that doesn’t belong. Can you find the sentence that isn’t about caring for a dog?

7. Don’t forget to brush or groom your dog regularly
Don’t forget to brush or groom your dog regularly. You can also get together with your friends and hold a contest to pick a good name for your dog. Finally, provide a sleeping area or doghouse for your dog.
You’re right! Picking a name for your dog is fun and important, but does it really have anything to do with caring for a dog?

8. That was great! Lets try another one.
Remember to read carefully
Identify the topic
Find what doesn’t belong

9. Sometimes when there is a big snowstorm, there is no school
Sometimes when there is a big snowstorm, there is no school. On these days, Mom has to call a babysitter. I like it when my babysitter is my grandmother because she enjoys baking. My grandmother drives an orange and white Volkswagen Van. She likes to make homemade bread or cupcakes. They are so delicious! Grandma lets me help bake. We have a lot of fun. I hope it snows soon!

10. Now lets find the sentence that doesn’t belong!
First, identify the topic of the paragraph.
The topic is about caring for a dog.
Next, you should scan the paragraph again.

11. Is there any information that doesn’t belong?
Sometimes when there is a big snowstorm, there is no school. On these days, Mom has to call a babysitter. I like it when my babysitter is my grandmother because she enjoys baking.
A good writer stops and asks himself questions. So far, all the information seems to be about grandmother being the babysitter. I think I will keep reading.

12. Is there any information that doesn’t belong?
My grandmother drives an orange and white Volkswagen Van. She likes to make homemade bread or cupcakes. They are so delicious! Grandma lets me help bake. We have a lot of fun. I hope it snows soon!
I might see something in this section that doesn’t belong. Can you find the sentence that isn’t about grandmother being the babysitter?

13. My grandmother drives an orange and white Volkswagen Van
My grandmother drives an orange and white Volkswagen Van. She likes to make homemade bread or cupcakes. They are so delicious! Grandma lets me help bake. We have a lot of fun. I hope it snows soon!
You’re right! Grandmothers van sounds really cool, but it doesn’t make her a good baker or babysitter.